Coast Guard Terminates Fishing Trip For Safety Violations

BOSTON – The Coast Guard ended the voyage of a Montauk, N.Y., – based tuna boat today about eight miles off Block Island, R.I., for failure to comply with safety regulations.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Chinook, from New London, Conn., boarded the 38-foot Karen Sue about 11 a.m., and discovered the life raft was expired and the three-man fishing crew had only two survival suits on board.

Upon coordination with the First District Headquarters in Boston, the Chinook terminated Karen Sue’s voyage and escorted the boat and crew to Montauk, where they were instructed not to get underway until the discrepancies were corrected.

“Our main concern is preservation of life,” said Ted Harrington, the First District Chief of Vessel Compliance Oversight. “If we find a fishing crew that is dangerously out of regulation, we’re going take action to make sure they have what they need to be safe.”